Yakitate!! Japan

Azuma Kazuma, the boy with the Solar Hands, comes to Pantasia in Tokyo, Japan to make the #1 bread for his country, ""Japan!"" This episode tells the back-story of how and why Azuma became interested in bread and why he so badly wants to create Japan's own unique bread; a bread that could proudly be shown as ""Japanese Bread"".

Within the first few seconds of arriving at the new employee contest of Pantasia, Azuma Kazuma has already found himself losing five of ten of his precious points! Can his unique bread save him from being dismissed with the rest of those the harsh manager Kuroyanagi Ryou deems unworthy?

The final four! Azuma, Kyousuke, Tsukino, and Kai progress on to the final competition to determine who is truly worthy to work in Central Pantasia branch. Will the combined efforts of Azuma and Kyousuke be able to impress the Meister, Sadono, and the ever-shrude Kuroyanagi?

It's Azuma and Kawachi's first day of work at the Southern Tokyo Branch of Pantasia. Tsukino, their new supervisor, teaches Kazuma how to make French bread. When they hear that the manager, afro-wearing Matsushiro Ken, must sample it before it can be sold in the bakery, they seek him out at a horse race track. Instead of tasting the bread, he throws it to a horse, who will eat it or reject it. He tells the two of them to make a bread delicious enough to be eaten by a horse. When they return to the store, Tsukino tells them his story - his sister nearly died from eating bread because of an unknown allergy to dairy. He therefore aims to make a bread that anyone, even someone with allergies, can eat. Horses will eat this type of bread because although they love wheat, they hate butter and dairy products.

Azuma and Kawachi are attempting to create a bread that tastes delicious, but has no possible allergens like butter and milk, and their job is on the line. Azuma calls his sister, who suggests (and brings) the exact ingredient to help him stay at the store - goat's milk, which Azuma makes into butter. Kawachi uses oats in his bread, and the horse accepts it. However, when fed Azuma's bread, the horse strongly rejects it. Ken and Kawachi eat Azuma's bread, and find it to be delicious. As well, the goat's milk that Azuma used eliminates the main allergen in milk, making it a bread that fits the manager's request. Both Azuma and Kawachi keep their jobs.

Azuma and Kawachi are wondering why the store doesn't get more customers when the main store has lines dragging on and on. When they ask Ken, he points out that the main branch of St. Pierre, a rival bakery, is across the street. Soon, they meet the manager, a very effeminate man (it is strongly insinuated that he is gay) named Mokoyama, who is about to release St. Pierre's new line of bread. However, Ken tells Mokoyama Azuma is a much better baker, and he challenges the St. Pierre branch to a duel: Azuma's newest Japan against his new line. St. Pierre accepts, but the main Pantasia branch knows nothing about the challenge, or Azuma's new Japan, and their entire reputation is resting on their newest employee - especially since the duel will be broadcast on television.

The Bread Duel begins. Mokoyama unveils his new bread first, Kougin Pudding Amman, a pudding filled butter roll. It is made using the highest quality ingredients, and all of the judges give it a perfect score. Then, it's Azuma's turn. His bread, which is fried, seems to go over well with the judges; he took leftover bread and fried it in a special sauce to make it soft again. However, the judges note that it is made from leftovers, and that people will not want to eat it. In the nick of time, the general manager of Pantasia appears, and asks the judges to take price into consideration. Mokoyama announces that the price of his bread will be 190 yen, only slightly higher than a normal butter roll, which is a good deal because of the high quality ingredients. Then Azuma declares his price - 0 yen. This excites the crowd, and the judges give his bread a perfect score as well - it's a draw.

An invitation is sent to the two newest members of the Southern Tokyo Branch, for the annual "Newcomers Competition" - a tournament of every Pantasia newcomer. Their preliminary challenge is to make dinner bread that will last for three weeks without growing mold. Azuma automatically thinks of a previous Ja-pan, and offers to help Kawachi make it with him. However, Kawachi wants to do it on his own this time, so Tsukino suggests helping him get the legendary solar hands. Although confused as to how, Kawachi accepts the challenge. The special training is swimming - Kawachi is to swim many laps in a pool, with weights around his stomach. Kawachi goes into training, while Azuma decides to go to Izu to get an ingredient... by running. Izu is 3-5 hours away by train.

The newcomer duet is still working on their bread for the competition. Kawachi is in intense training to increase his muscle mass and obtain Solar Gauntlets. Azuma, understandably, faints on his way to Izu, but finds what he needs at a sushi restaurant he collapses near - wasabi. Meanwhile, Kawachi is trying to find his ingredients, so he can fulfill his deceased father's dream of working at the main branch of Pantasia, but feels sorry for himself. Ken Matsushiro tells him to stop being such a baby by dumping his liquor on him. Ken actually intended to give Kawachi the idea of using alcohol in his drink, and Kawachi gets the idea, making his Osaka-pan.

Kazuma and Kyousuke had made it past the preliminary rounds. Kazuma had finished creating his "secret weapon" with the help of Grandpa Umasaburou and baked his ultimate Japan #44 to thank him. The day of Pantasia Newcomers Battle has finally arrive, but Kazuma overslept. He barely made it and Kuroyanagi scolded him by shouting "You're late!! That's 5 points off!!".

Kazuma chose the worst possible butter and baked a dinner roll which was thought by Kuroyanagi to taste the worst but it seems that Azuma has just pulled of a miracle.

Kazuma was initially disqualified along with other 13 people who chose the same butter as him (i.e.: butter C, revealed to be margarine) by Kuroyanagi, however Kazuma was re-admitted into the Newcomers' battle after Kuroyanagi tasted his butter rolls. This episode also introduces Mizuno Azusagawa, Tsukino's younger and bratty sister, along with the animosity between the two sisters. Near the end, after Kazuma and Kyosuke learned about the issue between the Azusagawa sisters from their manager, they decided to give their best to win the Newcomers' battle to support Tsukino. Mizuno also sets up a gamble in which if Kazuma loses to her, he will have to transfer to Mizuno's new Tokyo Pantasia branch, however should Kazuma wins, Mizuno has to begin respecting Tsukino as her older sister.

Kazuma had made a bet with Mizuno, Tsukino's sister but he's totally clueless on baking melon buns. Sushi shop owner whom Kazuma met when he was fainted arrived at the main branch to treat them some sushi. While observing him, Kazuma got an idea on how to create Japan#58, Melon Sushi Bun and asked Tsukino out. Tsukino thought they were out on a date but Kazuma had just forgotten his money and needed her to come along to buy some ingredients. Kazuma's Japan#58 Melon Sushi Bun enabled him to defeat Mizuno and advance to the next round.

Kawachi's match between him and Motohashi. Kawachi wins, but only after trying his best after receiving a huge scare from Matsushiro. Shachihoko, Azuma's next opponent is introduced, as well as the next theme for the next round, which is yakisoba bread. The object is to make the yakisoba not the bread. Azuma who has only ever made bread is a terrible cook, Matsushiro calls an old ramen chef friend of his to teach Azuma and Kawachi the way of yakisoba.

In a hopeless situation, Azuma becomes depressed. Meanwhile Kawachi goes on to win his match, and gives Azuma an idea. The day of the match between Azuma and Shachihoko has arrived. Azuma ends up winning by making an okonomiyaki-style sandwich on pannini bread.

The match between Azuma and Koala begins, the object is to create an animal bread that is attractive to both woman and young children. Matsushiro explains that Koala (who was earlier revealed to be Mokoyama, in disguise) will beat Azuma, with his dragon bread. Near the end of the episode, Koala presents a dragon shaped bread to Kuroyanagi and Azuma presents a green turtle shaped bread.

The episode carries on from episode 16, and ends with Azuma's win. After Koala's loss, Mizuno fires Koala, but later re-hires him after realizing how much she loved him.

Tsukino goes to her mother's grave as it is her mother's anniversary while Kawachi is versing Katsuo "Pig-boy" Umino in the Pantasia main branch. Kawachi is surprised to see Tsukino not coming to his match and wins. Tsukino buys flowers and brings bread to her mother's funeral while Kyousuke, Kazuma and Ken Matsushiro go to her mother's grave to pray with her.

The semi-finals match, Kanmuri vs. Kawachi. Kawachi is confident in his battle between Kanmuri and him after obtaining a special yeast from Matsushiro. During the competition Kawachi suddenly has difficulty kneading his dough, and despite his efforts the dough refuses to ferment.

Just before the competition, Yukino placed endo-proteases into Kawachi's flour, causing Kawachi to lose to Kanmuri by foul play.

After Kawachi's dreadful defeat at the hands of Kanmuri, Azuma decided to take revenge for Kawachi. During Azuma's match with Suwabara, Azuma baked Japan #44, a bread that allows you to go heaven. The judges, Kuroyanagi and Dave go to heaven after eating Azuma's bread. When Kuroyanagi comes back to life after the effects of the bread have worn off, he declares Azuma the winner.

The episode begins with a short over-view of the past few episodes. Kawachi is also suggested by Matsushiro to go train at a church during the finals, before facing Suwabara. After talking to Kanmuri in the kitchen, Yukino finds the petalite stone and then breaks it in sand pouring it into a sandbox.

It's the finals of the Pantasia Newcomers Battle! Can Azuma truly win without his petolite board? He seems to have a unique plan in mind, but with this unique plan for Japan #60. Additionally, what happens to Kyousuke after he finds the St. Andrew's Church mentioned in the last episode? Find out in this episode!

It's the judging of the finals!! Azuma's sticky, extensible bread vs Kanmuri's equially extensible bread! With Meister Kirisaki judging, it's all the more inconclusive as to who will win this battle of the mochi mochi breads!

With the final match done and over with, now's the time to celebrate! Saturday Night Fever, baby!! . . .or is it? There's still the matter of the Third-Place Match! What's more, Kawachi explains what he'd been doing for the past week. Just what is the mystery of St. Andrew's Church?

What was that?! Early into his match with Suwabara Kai, Kawachi finds that Suwabara's French Bread is one, huge roll! Not only that, but what he's been freaking out, Suwabara has already begun baking his French Bread! What can Kawachi possibly do to compete?! Why. . .put the finishing touches on his ""Singing Bread,"" of course! Can he possibly win against the iron will and violent, fiery soul of Suwabara Kai?

In the aftermath of the finals, the awards are handed out, and a surprising request is made by Kanmuri Shigeru. Facts about Meister Kirisaki come to light shortly after the crew returns to Southern Tokyo Pantasia. In addition, we -- the audience -- learn how to make the unique-as-ever rice cooker bread, Japan #2, in this episode.

Kanmuri is now an employee of the Southern Tokyo branch in place of Kawachi, who has moved onto the main store. Kanmuri reveals that Yukino is secretly selling stocks of Pantasia to St. Pierre. Kanmuri later exposes his risky plan to Matsushiro, Kawachi overhears, when he plans to visit everyone at the Southern Tokyo branch.

Super-elite bakers from St. Pierre's Kyuushu Branch have cloned Southern Tokyo Pantasia's diet bread and given them a bad name! However, Azuma and crew have come up with a plan for a bread that's not only delicious, but is tremendously good for you as well! Will their plan to ""turn white into black"" succeed?

With hope in their hearts, Kawachi, Azuma, Suwabara, and Kuroyanagi head to France. There, they not only meet their trainer and hostest for the next month, Sophie Balzac Kirisaki of the Gordon Blue Bakery, but they also find that the main competitors of Gordon Blue, the Mayson Kayser, have opened a new Main Branch right across the street from the Gordon Blue! In addition, the Mayson Kayser hosts the world's most elite of bakers! How can the Japanese Representitives survive the Monaco Cup with people like this in the running?!

Kawachi goes along with Kanmuri's plan, suggesting to make Rodin's famous "Thinker" for their bread that will be presented in the opening of the Monaco cup. After its completion, Kawachi as planned accidentally ruins it. With no other choice, team Japan makes a new life sized statue, with Kawachi inside. Kawachi is eventually found out, and team Japan starts at a disadvantage with 8 points, as well as considered the weakest team in the Monaco cup, as planned by Kanmuri.

The first part of the preliminary round begins. In the first round, a roulette is used to select ingredients for the bread. The bread must be made with only the ingredients that were selected from the roulette. Team Japan is put in a hopeless position after all three members ended up getting only eggs. But Azuma pulls through by asking for a certain type of flour and makes Japan# 21.

Team Japan ends up passing the first round. Pierrot the judge of the Monaco cup then relays the story of how he became to be a clown. At the end of the story, Team Japan has fallen asleep, as it was 3 a.m.

The second part of the preliminaries, in this part, a slot machine is used to get ingredients as indicated on the coins in the slot machine. But the more coins that are gained the more of a disadvantage is gained. Before the start of the match, Edward Kayser makes a bet with Suwabara, that the losing team must drop out of the Monaco cup. Despite the fact Suwabara gains too many coins, he ends up passing by making Lupan #3, also called Pain D'epice , a type of bread he developed shortly after losing to Azuma in the newcomers arc.

The Monaco cup goes into the finals, in which only the best teams remain standing. The Japanese team learn that Shachihoko, who was introduced in episode 14 is on the American team. Back in Japan, St. Pierre's owner Kirisaki, learns that the Southern Tokyo store, no longer has any capital, having bet it all on the Japanese team. Kirisaki uses this opportunity to run the Southern Tokyo branch out of business, by reducing all prices by 70%. Kanmuri counter-acts this by using Kinoshita's cloning ability to create a live bread-making demonstration outside Pantasia.

The first part of the quarter-finals in Monaco, is to make a bread in less than 60 minutes, only then 8 teams will be left. The Japanese team nearly didn't pass because of one fatal mistake made by Azuma, using a microwave, it is revealed that Pierrot has an utter disdain for microwaves. It flashes back to Pierrot's plane trip to America, the former-ringmaster warns that Americans will sue over anything, in which he relays a story of an old woman microwaving her cat, which is the source of Pierrot's hatred. In order to save team Japan, Shachihoko explains to Pierrot that it was only an urban legend and it wasn't real. After hearing this, Pierrot passes team Japan.

For the second part of the quarter-finals, the final eight are bought to a deserted island. There each team must make a sweet bread with ingredients that can only be found on the island. The Japanese team is stuck in a position where the their base is washed away at high tide. While trying to swim to shore, Azuma gets lost in a whirlpool, and is later found by the Egyptian team. The chairman of the Monaco cup contacts the French team, and tell them to set the forest on fire after getting fruit from the forest. It is revealed in this episode that team France was indeed being told of everything beforehand and also the reason why they were at an advantage, it also was the reason the Japanese team is in the position they are in, thanks to St. Pierre's Kirisaki.

Surrounded by a sea of flames, Kawachi and Suwabara are saved by one of the Egyptian representatives. The Egyptians are really the Monaco secret police, they are currently tailing team France, which believed to be cheating. During that time, team Japan is reunited, however now that the forest had been burnt down by team France, there is no way to gather fruit to use in making the sweet bread. Azuma comes up with the idea of using potatoes, and the sap of a surviving palm tree. At the end of the week, team Japan presents Pierrot with their sweet bread Japan #9, and end up passing.

Because of the incident on the island, a re-match is being held in Mexico. The objective is to make a bread with fish or a bread that tastes good with fish. Each team must skydive down towards the San Agustin River, the place where the match is being held. But in order to eliminate team Japan, the professional skydivers that were hired for the match, lead team Japan away from the river and towards Huautla, the deepest cave in the world. Pierrot noticing something is wrong, follows team Japan into Huautla. Eventually team Japan begins to lose hope about ever coming out alive, however the only possible escape route, it to swim 2-3km underwater. Pierrot convinces team Japan that he will go, and call for help, but in truth he cannot swim.

Trying to delay the Japanese team as much a possible, Pierrot develops a long term reaction over the course of the episode. Pierrot's reaction includes a complex code that only Azuma solves, revealing he is very strong when it comes to numbers. After much procrastination, Pierrot finally dives in, discovering that because of his reaction to Azuma's bread he had obtained gills and was able to swim the 2 to 3 kilometers.

After being rescued from the cave, Azuma and the gang, finally meet the king of Monaco, who is also the new chairman of the competition after the former one ran away after being suspected of fixing the competition. The next theme for the semi-finals is to make a sports bread. As well Japan's opponent is France. Later while Azuma and the others are gathering ingredients at the royal palace, Sophie tells of a tragic story regarding her brother, herself, and their father. During the flashback, Kirisaki asks the question "Who do you give fresh baked bread to?" At the palace, the king asks the exact same question, and Azuma answers the exact same way Kirisaki did. Near the end of the episode, it is learned that the king and Kirisaki knew each other when the king was a child. It also becomes clear as to why the Japanese team must be eliminated.

Team Japan begins to prepare for their match against Kayser. On the scheduled day of the match, Kayser reveals their true form, while the match has started, Azuma has yet to arrive. During this episode, Suwabara's Lupan #6 is revealed, as well as Gran's special blue dough, that will be made into the perfect bread for F1 racing, while Suwabara's bread has a fatal flaw.

The judging is about to begin, and Azuma arrives just before the final 20 minutes of the match. Pierrot refuses to eat Azuma's ready baked bread, because of too many unknown factors, but the king of Monaco, who Azuma was riding with, allows him to participate. The winner between France and Japan is Japan.

The group is outside a restaurant celebrating their victory, with Kawachi having a new wig for his hair after being shaved off. Kawachi is overconfident in their ability as usual, while eating lobsters. The winner between China and America during the earlier battle turns out to be America, with all three of their breads winning, and to top that; Sachihoko's bread placed third in the semi finals.

Despite its title, the two competitors in this episode are not actually nude, rather undressing into the bare minimum clothing appropriate for the younger age groups. The episode starts with Kawachi commenting on Suwabara being foolish in using his sword to carve a wooden log in the middle of the road.

Monica and Suwabara are having their battle, Monica had already finished her bread and not long after Suwabara finishes his, and when he does just as Pierrot was about to judge Monica's bread first, Monica told Pierrot to judge Suwabara's bread.

With Suwabara having lost his match (and his heart) to U.S. competitor Monica, Kyousuke is urged by Kuroyanagi to start working on his bread. While in his room, Kyousuke sees Ken Matsushiro, Shigeru Kanmuri, Tsukino Azusagawa, and Kageto Kinoshita, whose name he promptly forgets.

The episode begins with the 2nd final of the Monaco Cup. While Sachihoko finishes his Egyptian bread, Alexandria, far ahead of Kyousuke, Kyousuke, unable to resist the urge to watch Pierrot's reaction, looks up to realise that time has stopped. He then meets fictional character Conan the Detective, who astounds Kyousuke with his perfect deceptions of the frozen beings around him. Kyousuke, fed up with Pierrot's mind games, starts calling Conan names. Conan pretends not to hear in order that Kyousuke loudly repeats the phrase 'Conan, you measel!' repeatedly, until Kyousuke sees through the ruse and yells, 'Kodaimai miso!' , which was used in Spencer's bread. Conan then turns into Pierrot, and stumbles around drunkenly, revealing a dagger embedded in his back. Kyousuke is accused of murder, but charges are cleared when Pierrot stands up, appearing fine. He then takes a bite of Kyousuke's bread and launches into a story about his circus friends.

Pierrot is revealed to have "Bombay blood" and is on the verge of dying. The King of Monaco reveals he has "Bombay blood" and goes to rescue Pierrot. After the King of Monaco leaves, Ryou Kuroyanagi deduces that in order for someone like Pierrot to have "Bombay blood", the parents must have the same blood too. In the hospital, the King pulls out all the stops to save Pierrot's life (even smashing the transfusion pump switch so that it cannot be stopped) and they meet in heaven in the same cabaret from Episode 21. Pierrot constantly badmouths his parents for abandoning him and never coming to see him and states that he never wants to see them again, but the King is grief-stricken and finally confesses to Pierrot that he is his son, Prince Leol. Pierrot laughs it off until the King hugs him tightly and weeps for him as he is taken away by the angels. Pierrot reawakens as the King dies and breaks down, longing to be with his father again. Kazuma promises him that he can send him to heaven with a new Japan, since he can no longer make his Japan #44 due to not having his petalite slab.

It's almost time for the final match of the Monaco Cup. The theme is "shelter", a bread with the taste of the competitor's homeland. Kuroyanagi briefs Azuma, Kawachi and Suwabara on Shadow White, Azuma's opponent in the final round. It is revealed that Shadow had an innate ability to copy the winposes of many famous sports stars as a kid, but turned to watching and imitating the famous mime Marcel Marceau after being bullied because of his talent.

It's the final match of the Monaco Cup. The arena is crowded. Shadow makes a Gopan bagel with rice flour made from a very hard and sticky rice that is perfect for making rice cakes and boils it in fine English tea instead of water, while Azuma makes Japan #61, a doughnut with powdered hemp seeds and cannabis milk in the dough (the episode is peppered with references to a Tokyo restaurant that exclusively serves hemp-based dishes) and tops it with a mixture of handmade brown sugar and powdered hemp seeds. Shadow finishes first and when Pierrot tastes his bagel, he is transported into Night on the Galactic Railroad (his mother's favorite fairytale) where he speaks to the ghost of his mother up in space.

Azuma has finished his Japan #61 and serves it to Pierrot. After eating it, Pierrot is transported back 23 years in time, before he was born, and appears in the Monaco court. The King and Queen do not recognize him as their son, but he claims to be a clown the King hired for the Queen's amusement and eventually becomes her favorite and most trusted servant.

Mr. Kirisaki has bought out Pantasia and merged it with St. Pierre! He then throws down to the gauntlet to Kazuma and the others by issuing them this challenge: If they want to save Pantasia, they must compete in his Yakitate 9 contest!

The first opponent that Kazuma and the others face is the enigmatic Takumi Tsubozuka, a member of CMAP, a team of celebrity chefs. Can Kazuma, Kawachi, and Kanmuri come up with a bread that will defeat Tsubozuka and make use of Oma’s local ingredients?

The bake-off has begun! Will Tsubozuka win with his charred tuna, or will Kazuma come from behind with his chawanmushi bread made with sea urchin?

After an accident, Kuroyanagi lost all sense of taste. Will he have to retire from being a judge forever? Meanwhile, Kazuma has to think of a way to defeat his old friend, Liu, in a match to make Chinese-style steamed buns!

Tsubozuka has become a friend of Kazuma and the others. But the other members of CMAP aren’t so forgiving. Now they’re dueling against Kazuma in Saito. How in the world can Kazuma beat three excellent bakers, and use a little clay haniwa statute to do it?

CMAP not only has incredible knowledge and unbeatable talent, but one of their members even has the Arms of Flame, which burn even hotter than Kazuma’s Hands of the Sun! Will Kazuma’s love of good food and good friends be enough?

A familiar pair returns, but something is different about them! Kazuma, Kawachi, and Kanmuri must do battle with a duo of ninjas using the local specialty of Omagari. Can Kazuma win even though both he and his opponent are using the same ingredients?

The ninjas are revealed to be Kai and Monica, and Kai makes a shocking declaration. If he can’t defeat Kazuma, he’ll commit suicide! Will his determination let him finally beat Kazuma? And will he really go through with it if he loses?

Kanmuri’s past is brought to light and he may have to retire from his life as a baker! Will he be forced to leave his friends at Pantasia and become… a gangster!? And what’s worse, after getting sick, Kazuma has to sit this match out!

It’s a showdown between estranged brothers. Neither wants to succeed, because both love cooking. Will their thoughts reach their father?

Kazuma is up against his most powerful foe yet, the famous TV celebrity and comedian Norihei Miki! Can Kazuma possibly compete against such a legend, especially when the theme involves using seaweed, Norihei’s specialty?

It’s time for Kuroyanagi to decide who will win the sixth round: Kazuma or Norihei. Kuroyanagi delivers his most expressive reactions yet in a battle that leaves Kazuma and the others stunned!

Mokoyama has returned a changed man. Though he doesn’t wish to assist Yukino or Mr. Kirisaki in any way, he desperately wants to prove his worth by displaying his new form, Panda Man, and his new weapon, Super Baking Powder!

The hot springs battle is boiling over and things start getting really bombastic when Panda’s bread explodes… three times! How can this possibly be? Has Mokoyama made the bread he’s always dreamed of making?

Tsukino’s sister steps in to challenge Kazuma and the others in the semi-finals, in a match she is well-suited for: making tarts. After insulting a local fruit vendor, Kazuma decides to fight against her using the vendor’s specialty, preserved loquats!

Kazuma has been thrust into a fantasy world, and most take the “loquat” to the fires of a volcano and destroy it before the evil Snowza can use it to take over the world! This sounds an awful lot like a certain story about a ring…

The final showdown. Kazuma faces off against Yuichi Kirisaki’s son in a legendary battle in Kazuma’s own hometown. However, Kazuma won’t just have to win over Kuroyanagi - Yuichi Kirisaki and Pierrot also step up to the plate as judges!